Dr Bawumia inaugurates Police shop

A new specialised one-stop shop aimed at enhancing logistics supply for personnel of the Ghana Police Service has been inaugurated by the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, in Accra yesterday.

The shop contains police accoutrements such as uniforms, boots and badges for all ranks of the service, and souvenirs. Located at the Police Headquarters, the shop also has an online presence to facilitate buying and delivery for personnel across the country.

The facility was sponsored by four private sector partners, including elders and citizens of the Kwahu Traditional Area in the Eastern Region.

The ceremony was attended by traditional leaders, senior police officers, government representatives and stakeholders in the law enforcement sector.

Relevance

Dr Bawumia said establishment of the shop was only complementary to the government's responsibility of providing necessary uniform and equipment to the Police Service. "By establishing this shop, we aim to streamline the procurement process and ensure timely access to critical supplies.

Front view of the Police shop

"With this facility, we are not just improving logistics; we are investing in the safety and security of every citizen,” he added.

The Vice-President, who is also the Chairman of the Police Council, further underscored the government's dedication to enhancing public safety and security.

He acknowledged the invaluable contribution of the police in maintaining law and order, saying "our police officers deserve the best tools available to carry out their duties with professionalism and diligence”.

“Over the past seven years, the government has consistently provided the needed logistical support to the Police Service to enhance their operational efficiency,” Dr Bawumia said.

He mentioned vehicles, motorbikes, protective equipment and infrastructure development as some of the support offered to the police by the government. The Vice-President added that more than 7,000 people had also been recruited into the police to augment the manpower of the service to enhance operations.

He said those transformation initiatives had bolstered police visibility, intelligence operations and community engagement nationwide. “The security of our country has been and will continue to be of high priority of the government. As we are all aware, a nation can only develop when there is proper security,” Dr Bawumia added. 

Peaceful elections

While applauding the police and security agencies for putting their lives on the line to ensure public safety, the Minister for the Interior, Henry Quartey, reminded them of a higher national duty of ensuring peace in the upcoming elections on December 7 this year.

“It’s about ensuring peace before, during and after the elections. “We cannot fail the people of this country.  “The President has charged me with a simple task to ensure that in this year's elections, the police and other security agencies will discharge their duties professionally,” he said.

The minister warned those inciting violence and threatening people with death on social media to desist from such acts or would be made to face the law.

Appreciation

The Inspector-General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, expressed gratitude to Dr Bawumia for birthing the idea. “We thank all stakeholders, especially the Vice-President and Chairman of the Police Council, for the honour done us for coming around to inaugurate this project which was based on his own vision of ensuring that the welfare of personnel are catered for,” he said.

Dr Dampare gave an assurance that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, would continue to work together under the National Election Security Task Force and other stakeholders to ensure a peaceful election.

“We will go all out to ensure there is peace,” he added.

Writer’s email: doreen.andoh@graphic.com.gh